A la Carte

Chapter 18

Unedited.

-3 months later –

Charlotte bustled between the tables, it was a busy Saturday evening at the Bistro and practically every table was full.  It was busy evenings like this that kept her mind off unpleasant thoughts. After Derek's departure she had not seen or heard from him again, but a month after the huge fight they had an envelope was delivered to her by the security desk of their building. Her name was scrawled on the front in Derek's neat script. Inside he had placed a short note saying how sorry he was and that he was moving permanently to London, accompanying the note was some cash to replace the vase he had thrown at Dimitri's head.

She had used the cash to buy a new vase and would probably have to explain to why a different vase was not part of his décor. Dimitri had been very helpful over the three months that had passed, but due to his obligations with the family business he had to leave to Greece to deal with a few problems that had arisen in his father's place, but he still phoned her every night.  She had been grateful for his support through it all; Dimitri seemed to be the only one who understood.

"You'll never guess who just made a reservation for next week," Perry said, excitedly.

"Who?" Charlotte asked.

" The P.A to Mr Lockeheart just phoned, they want to rent out the entire Bistro for a function and will pay the waiters double to come in and work."

"Lockeheart?" Charlotte asked, all the air suddenly knocked out of her lungs.

"Yeah, the advertising mogul who somehow manages to keep his personal life out of gossip magazines, that man honestly has too much money." Perry rambled, in the meantime Charlotte was trying to control her heart rate.

"You okay Char?" Perry asked.

"Perfectly fine, just need to go and make a phone call," She said, faking a smile and hurrying off to the service entrance.

She dialled the number with trembling hands from the card her brother had given to her and waited anxiously for him to pick up.

"Mr Lockeheart's office, Amy speaking," A female voice answered.

"Um, hi Amy is Benjamin available, it's urgent that I talk to him?"

"No, sorry, he's in a meeting with client and he requested that he not be disturbed."

"It's a family emergency please."  Charlotte pleaded.

"I'll see what I can do, who should I tell him is calling?"

"Charlotte,"

A few seconds passed and the phone was picked up, this time Benjamin's voice run clearly over the line.

"What can I do for you?"

"Why are you hiring the entire Bistro for a function?" Charlotte demanded.

"I'm not, Dad is." Benjamin said quietly.

"Yes, I gathered as much, but why the Bistro that I work in specifically?"

"A big client of Dad's recently attended a lunch there and he suggested it, Dad decided it was worth a shot."  Benjamin explained.

"Fix it Benjamin." Charlotte said.

"My hands are tied Char, you know how dad is and he's already confirmed the venue with a few of his clients, so there's nothing I can do."

Charlotte was so angry she hung up. If Benjamin couldn't fix it, then she would have to, because she would not be facing her father next week or ever if she could help it.

"What do you mean I have to work?" Charlotte asked Amanda.

"I need all the regular and trusted waiters and waitresses working at this event, I am not hiring inexperienced temps that will screw this up, Mr Lockeheart is a big client and the advertisement is exactly what they Bistro needs."

"Amanda I really can't work on that day, I have errands that I can only do then."

"It's in the evening Charlotte, why all these excuses, I thought you would be happy to get double pay for an evening's work?"

"I'm sorry, I really can't."

"If you don't have a good or reasonable excuse as to why you can't work then unfortunately for you, you will be at the function working and if you bail on me then I have no choice, but to relieve you of your duties to this Bistro, so make sure you pitch up."

Amanda walked away, leaving Charlotte to swallow the harsh words. Deep down she knew Amanda was right, her father's function would definitely help the Bistro immensely and double pay would be nice.

She phoned Benjamin again.
"Will Dad recognise me?"

"Well, you dyed your hair dark so maybe not,"

"And the function is public so he wouldn't make a scene?"

"Definitely not, although there's no telling what would happen after."

"Okay good."

"You're working that evening, that's why you're so freaked out,"  Benjamin said.

"You know, you really are slow this evening."

"Char, it's going to be okay, you'll see."

"I hope so Ben, I don't think I can deal with him yet,"
Charlotte said and hung up.

Only time would tell whether Benjamin was right and Charlotte could only hope and pray that he was.

----------------------------------------------------------------

So I finally rewrote this...
I like this more than the previous one I wrote, so I hope you enjoy! Might be posting another chapter after Christmas so to those of you who do celebrate this holiday, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas where ever all of you are and if you're travelling: safe travels, also hope you guys eat SO much and that everything is just great!

Merry Christmas!!

Kaylin xx